The best Android music making apps in the world today

Google grooves

First the bad news: despite having a huge installed user base, when it comes to music making apps, Android remains very much the poor relation to Apple’s iOS.

This isn’t because developers don’t want to release apps for Google’s mobile OS, rather that various problems - notably high audio latency and the fact that there are numerous devices and different versions of Android in circulation - have prevented them from doing so.

Image-Line FL Studio Mobile

£12.95/$19.99 (requires Android 2.3.3 or later)

In terms of look and feel this is very similar to the iOS version of FL Studio Mobile, which itself is derived from Xewton's Music Studio. It's a self-contained music production platform that enables you to create projects using a selection of built-in sounds (there's no audio recording option).

These lean towards the electronic and, once you've got used to the way the sequencer works, getting a song together is relatively straightforward. the workflow in general is smooth, and the interface looks pretty slick.

Wizdom Music MorphWiz-Play

£1.49 (requires Android 2.3 or later)

This slimmed-down version of iOS app MorphWiz gives you 30 Jordan Rudess-designed presets, plus an easy-to-play interface that means that you’ll be making great sounds on your Android device in no time.

Single Cell Software Caustic 2

Free/£5.29 (requires Android 3.0 or later)

Long regarded as one of the best Android music making apps on the market, Caustic is a mini studio that provides you with virtual analogue, PCM and bassline synths, a sampling drum machine, effects, a mixer and a sequencer. Depending on your device, you can even plug in a USB MIDI controller.

Buying the unlock key enables you to - among other things - save and export your songs.

Mikrosonic RD3 - Groovebox

£1.99 (requirements vary with device, demo version available)

This is the sister app to SPC - Music Sketchpad, which can import RD3 loops. It features a 303-style synth and drum machine that emulates several classic hardware models (including the 909, 808 and 606). You can create tracks via the real-time step sequencer.

If you’ve got a more powerful phone check out RD3 HD which is available for £3.99.

Oliver Wittchow nanoloop

It’s a step sequencer-based app that lets you work with six channels, each of which can be either a synth or a sampler. You can use up to eight patterns and two instruments per channel. You can load samples from an SD card, re-sample and make use of the FM/noise/PWM synth.

Alexander Zolotov SunVox

Its modular design enables you to work with a variety of sound generators, and there are also effects and a sampling option. If you want to go a little deeper with your Android music making, look no further.

Niko Twenty Electrum Drum Machine/Sampler

£2.47 (demo version available)

This simple drum machine app is based on the classic step sequencer format. With good built-in sounds and free downloadable packs based on classics such as the Roland 808 and 909, Electrum has some great sonic potential.

We highly recommend checking out the excellent sample packs at Synthdrums.com. You can also record sounds into the app and make use of a variety of other processing features.